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If somebody picked
up a sword, could they expect to use it in bona
fide combat?
Not without training.
Not without a comprehensive understanding of the
weapon, when, how and why to employ it.
To seek to fight with a weapon you do not even
understand is suicide.
A weapon
People fail to see that tai chi is just like a sword.
You cannot just pick it up and use it in combat.
First, you must understand the weapon. Then,
you must become the weapon.
Advanced martial art
It is not enough to practice form and pushing hands.
Real understanding is necessary.
Tai chi is an advanced martial arts system.
A student must gain an in-depth grasp of the
principles underpinning the art, and learn how to use them
effectively.
What makes tai chi 'tai chi'?
Many different exercise systems and
martial arts offer similar
benefits to tai chi.
Most exercise methods are arguably good for
fitness, and most martial arts aim to teach
combat.
So what makes tai chi unique?
How
Tai chi is concerned with the how.
It is process-oriented; paying attention to the
way in which you do things rather than just the
result.
Context
Tai chi requires the student to perform every movement in a comfortable,
relaxed manner, whilst maintaining optimal
structural alignment relative to the opponent.
At no time should your use of strength exceed
4 ounces of pressure, nor should you allow more than
4 ounces to be placed upon you.
Force is never used against force.
Every action should be a whole-body movement
rather than independent limb action.
There are no conventional punches or kicks; the
body employs a whipping action to throw the limb
out when striking.
Tai chi is circular in movement and
application - it must follow the way of
nature, the path of least resistance.
Components
In addition to the basic elements, there are more detailed components that need
to be incorporated into your training.
These allow a more extensive mechanism for expression and are essential for the
pragmatic application of the art.
Hybrid
Some people try to employ karate or wing chun methodology in their tai chi.
This simply does not work.
At best, they create a hybrid - at worst, they ruin both systems.
Each to their own
Wing chun should be trained as wing chun, and karate as karate - each has its
own unique quality.
Tai chi is the same; you cannot apply the movements as though it was karate.
e.g. the form is a vessel for
neigong.
Karate is not.
Unique
Tai chi uses the body in a more complete fashion than other systems, requiring
lesser strength to greater effect.
The other arts are not renowned for health.
Comprehensive
If you simply trained qigong, form, pushing hands and a few self defence
'techniques' the art will not work in actual combat.
Much is missing:
Brain work (meditation, awareness, metacognition)
Jing (whole-body power)
Chin na (seizing)
Shuai jiao (take downs)
These skills contain
physical and mental components; and the latter are often neglected by
the student.
Naivety
It is not enough to practice the skills. You must understand the
art.
For example chin na applications can be trained with a cooperative practice
partner and then with an uncooperative partner.
But will they work in actual combat?
No.
Missing pieces
Practicing applications is not enough.
This is why martial artists sometimes get beaten up
in the street by
untrained assailants. What is missing?
Using the sword
In tai chi the answer is quite straightforward: the
ability to
skilfully employ the principles.
The principles serve to bridge the gap between application practice and actual usage.
Chin na application answer
In the chin na application example the answer is
yielding, peng,
stickiness, 4 ounces.
Unless you can use these in a varied, combined, diverse fashion, you cannot
apply chin na applications in combat.
You must know how to wield the sword; functionally, pragmatically
and effectively.
Knowledge gaps
The gaps in a student's knowledge actively retard progress.
They cannot apply tai chi in a tai chi
manner.
At best, it will look like karate or judo. The exponent may as well learn
judo.
Don't ask...
A lazy student waits to be told
the answers.
The problem is this: what can they do with answers they don't even
understand?
The knowledge may be in their hands but they
don't know what to do with it.
Therein lies the dilemma.
Find out
Individual study, practice and
research will produce
knowledge, understanding and answers.
And further questions of course...
Trying to do tai chi without studying the
classics is like trying to practice Law without reading any legal books.
Wielding a real sword
The amateur swordsman cuts himself.
Tai chi employed by an amateur deserves all the laughter it receives.
Conviction and
integrity are paramount.
These are not easily attained.
Know how
The only way to gain the necessary 'know how' is to practice
daily and study thoroughly.
There are no shortcuts, no cheats, no quick fixes.
You must practice the movements, read the books, think deeply about the
art
and move continually towards realistic combat skill.
A student who lacks the initiative and motivation to do this should study
qigong & tai chi instead.
The yin/yang
symbol is the interlocking, melting together of the flow of
movement within a circle.
(Chungliang Al Huang)
Page created
18 June 2003
Last updated
16 June 2023
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